NFL Draft 2014 Preview (57 page)

Scout’s take:
“(Ladler) was the guy that I thought had the best chance of all the DB’s there. He is a sixth-round type. He’s good in run support. He struggles when he has to flip his hips and adjust on the move. He had to gather a lot, and I didn’t see the closing burst, but he was the one guy of their secondary group who I thought had a chance, mainly because of his size.”

RCB NEVIN LAWSON, #5

UTAH STATE
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Grade: 4.80

Ht: 5-9 1/2 | Wt: 190 | Sp: 4.48 | Arm: 31 1/2 | Hand: 9

History:
The Kingston, Jamaica native was a starter at cornerback and running back as a Florida prep. Also lettered as a sprinter in track. Appeared in nine games (two starts) for Utah State as a true freshman in 2010 and had 12 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception with one-half tackle for loss. Won a starting cornerback spot in ’11 and recorded 73-11-1 with one forced fumble. Started all 13 games in ’12 and recorded 63-10-0 with four tackles for loss and two sacks. In ’13, totaled 57-13-4 in 14 games (13 starts). Had his first career two-interception game against Boise State, returning one for a 65-yard score.

Strengths:
Muscular build with nice arm length. Plays with his eyes. Reads and reacts quickly. Has skills to man up receivers. Soft-footed with flexible hips to pedal easily and transition smoothly. Good zone awareness and reactions. Productive on the ball. Effective blitzer. Has special-teams experience as a gunner and jammer. Durable three-year starter. Has matured and taken a more professional approach as an upperclassman.

Weaknesses:
Press technique needs refinement. Too often allows free release. Clutching, grabbing and incurring flags have been issues in the past. Ball skills are a work in progress. Leaves some production on the field. Inconsistent run supporter. Struggled to contain USC WR Marqise Lee.

Future:
Adequate-sized, talented, inconsistent cornerback with moldable tools and scheme versatility, though he requires polish and patience.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

SS ISAIAH LEWIS, #9

MICHIGAN STATE
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Grade: 5.18

Ht: 5-9 7/8 | Wt: 211 | Sp: 4.61 | Arm: 31 1/2 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Also played basketball as an Indianapolis prep. Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2010, recording 15 tackles and one pass breakup with zero interceptions. Started the season opener at free safety vs. Western Michigan, then was primarily used on special teams the rest of the year. Won the starting strong safety job in ’11 and had 74-3-4 (two touchdowns) in 14 games with 2 1/2 tackles for loss. Made 13 starts at SS in ’12 and registered 80-6-2 with 1 1/2 tackles for loss. In ’13, recorded 58-8-2 with one tackle for loss in 13 games (12 starts). Underwent arthroscopic knee surgery following the second week of the season, missing the Youngstown State game and snapping his consecutive-starts streak at 29. Came back the following week, seeing limited time against Notre Dame, then was back in the starting lineup the rest of the season.

Strengths:
Terrific motor — supports the run aggressively and gives consistent effort in pursuit. Plays bigger than his size and throws his weight around — pounces on ball carriers. Good zone awareness. Makes plays on the ball and has good hands to make athletic interceptions. Physical and competitive. Made secondary calls and is football smart. Has special-teams experience. Tough, durable three-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal size and needs to get stronger. Can be a tick late to diagnose and lacks burst to recover. Average explosiveness, speed and range. Has man-coverage limitations — struggles to keep up with speedy slot receivers. Can be overaggressive and arrive out of control. Misses tackles when he goes for the kill shot.

Future:
Physical, aggressive strong safety at his best playing downhill and filling in run defense, though you wish he had more juice athletically. Special teams will have to be his ticket.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

SS CRAIG LOSTON, #6

LSU
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Grade: 5.31

Ht: 6-0 5/8 | Wt: 217 | Sp: 4.64 | Arm: 30 3/4 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
His cousin, Russell Shepard, is a wide receiver with the Buccaneers; the two were teammates at LSU. Another cousin, Brodney Pool, spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Browns and Jets (2005-11). Loston is a Houston native who garnered Parade All-American honors. Signed with LSU in 2009, but did not make it past the NCAA clearinghouse for his initial college eligibility until late in camp. Suffered a hand injury that required surgery, causing him to redshirt. Returned to the field in ’10 and played in 13 games (two starts), recording 22 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception with one tackle for loss. Was utilized as a reserve safety and special-teams player in ’11, appearing in 11 games and tallying 14-1-0 with one forced fumble. Missed three games with injuries (concussion, hyperextended right leg). Moved into the starting lineup in ’12, playing in 12 games at strong safety and recording 55-1-3 with three tackles for loss. Had a 100-yard interception return for a score against Mississippi State. Missed one game with a toe injury. In ’13, he registered 57-3-3 with four tackles for loss and one sack in 10 starts. Missed three games with leg and groin injuries.

Strengths:
Solidly built and well-proportioned. Good eyes and anticipation. Reacts aggressively to plays in front of him and buzzes the flat. Good route recognition. Can carry receivers deep and match up with tight ends in man coverage. Steps downhill and can secure open-field tackles. Is tough, sacrifices his body and will deliver some jarring hits. Helps line up the defense and make adjustments. Is noticeably the vocal leader of the secondary (very animated communicator). Gunner and jammer on special teams. Has NFL pedigree. Football smart, smart, hardworking and accountable.

Weaknesses:
Has short arms. Shows some hip tightness that restricts transitional quickness. Tends to rise in his pedal. Gives up separation in man coverage vs. receivers. Limited leaping ability. Can be overaggressive — overruns some plays and misses tackles he should secure. Can do a better job of driving through contact instead of leaving his feet. Durability is an issue — has struggled to remain healthy (despite recovering relatively quickly).

Future:
A big, physical strong safety with enough hybrid traits to offer interchangeable versatility. Looked better as a junior in the shadow of Eric Reid, but is a vocal secondary leader with starter-caliber ability as a box defender.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He doesn’t really do anything for me. He might go in the fourth (round). I had a solid backup grade on him. I was not fired up. I think he is an okay player.”

RCB DEXTER McDOUGLE, #25

MARYLAND
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Grade: 5.12

Ht: 5-10 1/4 | Wt: 196 | Sp: 4.49 | Arm: 30 5/8 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Virginia prep missed most of his junior season, breaking two of his knuckles in a freak practice injury. Redshirted in 2009. Saw his first game action in ’10, appearing in 11 games and recording 22 tackles, three pass breakups and zero interceptions. Returned five kickoffs for 71 yards (14.2-yard average). His season was cut short in early December when he was involved in a scooter accident, requiring surgery to repair a broken collarbone. Was elevated to starting cornerback in ’11 and had 44-6-3 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble in 12 games. Scored on a 66-yard fumble return against North Carolina State. Started all 12 games at cornerback in ’12 and recorded 71-5-0 with three tackles for loss. Made three starts in ’13, tallying 14-2-3, before suffering a season-ending injury September 14. Late that afternoon against Connecticut, in a game in which he already had two interceptions (including a 49-yard touchdown return), he dove low for a tackle and severely jammed his shoulder, necessitating surgery. Spent the rest of his college season traveling to every away game, attending every practice and sitting through every meeting. As a result, coach Randy Edsall presented him with the inaugural Dexter McDougle Ultimate Team Player Award at Maryland’s end-of-year banquet. Shoulder injury prevented him from working out at the Combine (medical exclusion).

Strengths:
Excellent speed to keep pace vertically. Reads and reacts quickly. Mirrors off the line. Good balance, agility and change of direction. Zone aware. Plants and drives efficiently. Has short-area quickness and stop-and-start acceleration. Covers ground with the ball in the air and shows burst to close. Solid tackler. Fits in multiple schemes. Good teammate.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal height. Short on length and strength to jam and re-route receivers — too often yields uncontested release off the line. Occasionally gets caught trying to read the quarterback’s mail — squats on routes, bites on fakes and gets beat. Durability could be an issue.

Future:
Short, compactly built, athletic cornerback who was playing well before his season ended prematurely. Has the speed, quickness, competitiveness and toughness to compete for a role as a sub-package slot defender.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

RCB-FS KEITH McGILL, #1

UTAH
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Grade: 5.42

Ht: 6-3 3/8 | Wt: 211 | Sp: 4.51 | Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Has a daughter. The California prep earned letters in football, basketball and track, graduating high school in 2007. After not playing in 2008, he enrolled at Cerritos (CA) College in ’09 and played in 11 games at free safety, recording 24 tackles, three pass breakups and four interceptions with one-half tackle for loss and one forced fumble. Earned Southern California Football Association Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors in ’10, tallying 37-5-7 with one forced fumble, two blocked kicks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Blocked a field goal attempt by Bakersfield College on the last play of the game, finishing the play by receiving a lateral at the 35-yard line and scoring the game-winning touchdown. Arrived at Utah in ’11 and saw action in the season’s first five games (including a start at free safety against USC), recording 12-1-0. Sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in the Arizona State game. Missed the entire ’12 season due to extensive rehab of the shoulder, which required surgery. Was healthy in ’13 and started all 12 games at cornerback, totaling 37-12-1 with one-half tackle for loss. Returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown against UCLA.

Strengths:
Rare size with extremely long arms and large hands — looks every bit the part. Very good athletic ability. Explosive — recorded 39-inch vertical jump and 10-foot, 9-inch broad jump. Versatile and can play safety or corner.

Weaknesses:
Lacks the physicality and toughness desired at safety. Does not support the run aggressively or play to his size. Average transitional quickness. Still has some junior-college habits. Footwork needs refinement. Record the worst 3-cone time (7.29 seconds) among cornerbacks at the Combine. Will be a 25-year-old rookie. Still has some junior-college work habits and needs to learn what it means to be a pro.

Future:
Big, athletic, press-man corner with intriguing dimensions and movement skills. However, he does not consistently play to his size, needs to adopt a professional approach to the game and will have to be micromanaged. Would ideally fit in Seattle or Jacksonville.

Draft projection:
Third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is a big corner. You see him on tape and you think he’s a camp body. You see him at practice and you think, he is a 5(th rounder). He’s the type of guy that will generate a buzz at the Senior Bowl and be a hot riser because of the way he looks. His arms look like they are 36 inches. Sometimes it looks like a guy is just an average athlete on tape, but he’s a good athlete when you see him in person. He’ll go in the second- or third-round to Pete Carroll.”

RCB TERRANCE MITCHELL, #27 (JUNIOR)

OREGON
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Grade: 5.37

Ht: 5-11 1/8 | Wt: 192 | Sp: 4.61 | Arm: 30 1/8 | Hand: 8 1/2

History:
Cornerback-running back who also lettered in basketball as a California prep. Redshirted in 2010. Won the starting left cornerback job in ’11 and had 45 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions with three tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 14 games (12 starts). Started all 13 games at LCB in ’12 and recorded 40-8-0. Made ’13 starts at LCB in ’13 and tallied 59-7-5 (one TD) with one forced fumble. Was ejected in the first quarter of the season opener against Nicholls for a targeting infraction. Did not bench press at the Combine (pectoral).

Strengths:
Good size and length with a well-proportioned body. Quick-footed pedal. Shows read-and-react skills and nice anticipation to break on throws. Good hand-eye coordination. Gambler’s mentality that enables him to make plays. High school skill-position traits show after he intercepts. Aggressive and competitive. Three-year starter. Recorded the best 3-cone drill (6.57 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (tie, 4.00) among cornerbacks at the Combine

Weaknesses:
Has short arms and small hands. Is lean and functionally weak — lacks press strength to impede receivers off the line. Tight-hipped. Gets wired on blocks outside. Needs to clean up his pedal. Inefficient plant-and-drive — average balance and body control through transition. Falls out of the hip pocket and loses phase downfield. Lacks elite top-end speed and recovery burst — needs help on explosive receivers. Average physicality and tackling ability. Tends to clutch and grab and draw flags.